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Development of a Pilot Borehole Storage System of Solar Thermal Energy: Modeling, Design, and Installation

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  • Francesco Tinti

    (Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering, University of Bologna, 40131 Bologna, Italy)

  • Patrizia Tassinari

    (Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy)

  • Dimitra Rapti

    (Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
    New Energies and Environment, Spin-Off Company, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy)

  • Stefano Benni

    (Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy)

Abstract

Borehole thermal energy storage systems represent a potential solution to increase the energy efficiency of renewable energy plants, but they generally have to comply with strict regulatory frameworks, mainly due to the deliberate modification of the subsoil’s natural state. This paper presents the design, testing, and monitoring phases carried out to set up a borehole thermal energy storage (BTES) system able to exploit the excess solar heat from photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collectors. The case study is the refurbishment of a pig nursery barn, hosting up to 2500 weaners, in Northern Italy. This study aims to define a BTES suitable to develop a heating system based on renewable energy, ensuring environmental protection and long-term sustainability. The retrofitting intervention includes the installation of a dual-source heat pump (DSHP), in order to recover the solar heat stored in summer during winter. Specific constraints by the Environmental Authority were as follows: maximum storage temperature of 35 °C, authorization to intercept the shallowest aquifer at a maximum depth of 30 m, obligation of BHE grouting, and the definition of a strategy for continuous measuring and monitoring of the groundwater’s thermophysical properties. The results were used as inputs to optimize the design and installation of the integrated system with PVT, BTES, and DSHP.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Tinti & Patrizia Tassinari & Dimitra Rapti & Stefano Benni, 2023. "Development of a Pilot Borehole Storage System of Solar Thermal Energy: Modeling, Design, and Installation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-25, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:9:p:7432-:d:1137276
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Maragna, Charles & Rey, Charlotte & Perreaux, Marc, 2023. "A novel and versatile solar Borehole Thermal Energy Storage assisted by a Heat Pump. Part 1: System description," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 709-725.
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    7. B. Kalidasan & A. K. Pandey & Saidur Rahman & Aman Yadav & M. Samykano & V. V. Tyagi, 2022. "Graphene–Silver Hybrid Nanoparticle based Organic Phase Change Materials for Enhanced Thermal Energy Storage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-16, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Linwei Hu & Niklas Tischler & Zarghaam Haider Rizvi & Johannes Nordbeck & Frank Wuttke, 2024. "Thermal, Electrical, and Economic Performance of a Hybrid Solar-Wind-Geothermal System: Case Study of a Detached House in Hamburg and Sylt, Germany," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-20, June.
    2. Tomislav Kurevija & Marija Macenić & Veronika Galović, 2025. "Regeneration of Rock Temperature Using Solar Thermal Energy Storage in Ground Source Heat Pump Systems—Sustainability for Regions with Both Heating and Cooling Needs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-24, February.
    3. Ahmadfard, Mohammadamin & Baniasadi, Ehsan, 2025. "Borehole thermal energy storage systems: A comprehensive review using bibliometric and qualitative tools," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 387(C).

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